Norcold/Nevercold Replacement

cid69

After several multi-week boondocking trips where I struggled with the
Norcold fridge in my 2017 T@B 320, I decided
to bite the bullet, and replace it with a 12 volt chest style dual
zone cooler.

I spent days combing this forum, Facebook groups, the web, Youtube, and any
other source I could think of before starting the project. I'm 80
years old, left handed and unusually unhandy so I was rightfully
terrified. Cabinetry was out. I wanted as simple a process as
possible. That also eliminated installing a new 2 way fridge like the
Isotherm or Bodega. I wanted the largest capacity chest style cooler
that would fit the space and that limited my choices.

I ended up with a 37 qt dual zone by EKOJUCE that I found on Amazon. I was
hesitant at first as I had never heard of the brand but the form
factor and dimensions were almost identical to a Bodega product that
had great reviews....but was out of stock. After some serious testing
at home, I'm a bit more comfortable. It cools down fairly quickly,
and in eco mode fluctuates in temperature only about 3 degrees while
consuming about 31 watts.

Anyone who contemplates this project MUST view Mark Turney's Youtube series
on removal of the Norcold from his T@B 320.
I never would have attempted the project had I not seen his video.
With his insight, I was able to remove the fridge in about an hour
with no major mishaps! I did have a professional cap off the propane
line after I removed the fridge.

When I removed the fridge it was apparent that it had been removed before
(I'm the 3rd owner). The screen door upper corner screws
had been taken out and the holes had been enlarged showing multiple
uses. The wood shelf under the fridge on the passenger side showed
some water damage either from the fridge itself or from water
entering the lower vent on the exterior wall. Most surprisingly, all
of the pocket screws which attached the shelf to the exterior wall of
the trailer were missing. After fridge removal, I replaced the pocket
screws, braced the bottom side with a short piece of 1” board, and
overlaid the entire area with a piece of 1/4” plywood.

I used a piece of 3/4” plywood for the base of a pull out shelf mounted on
three 17” undermount shelf slides. For power I reversed the
existing 120 volt fixture so it faced the new opening and spliced in
a 12 volt cigarette lighter style female plug to the existing 12 volt
line.

To finish the project I need to find a stain for the plywood drawer face
that matches as closely as possible the existing cabinet finish. I
also need to test the operation under camping conditions. I have a
100 ah Lifepo battery with a 150 watt solar panel on the roof. I also
have 400 watts of portable suitcase panels I carry when needed. All
solar is managed by a Victron controller and shunt. I'm pretty
confident that this set up will work for almost unlimited boondocking
use.

pthomas745

I see no evidence of being "unhandy!" Looks great!